Author: Anita Bosman
Dubai: TECHz – News Desk Dubai Duty Free has officially launched Crypto.com Pay™, making it the first airport retailer in the Middle East to introduce a regulated digital cryptocurrency payment solution. The integration allows eligible customers to use their digital assets for purchases across all retail outlets at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA), and its online store. This rollout marks the successful execution of a strategic partnership initiated in July 2025, when Dubai Duty Free and Crypto.com signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore blockchain-enabled payment solutions and broader digital innovation. The new payment option has…
Abu Dhabi: TECHz – News Desk e& UAE, the flagship telecom arm of e&, has announced a strategic deployment of Ciena’s next-generation optical and software solutions to construct a future-ready, high-capacity Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) network. This major infrastructure enhancement is designed to handle the Middle East’s surging traffic demands and power the next wave of digital growth across the region. The new network build-out aims to significantly increase capacity for e& UAE, providing the scalability and ultra-high-capacity foundation required for advanced digital services. By future-proofing its infrastructure, e& UAE is targeting the fast-paced, data-intensive connectivity needs of hyperscalers,…
Riyadh: TECHz – News Desk With the Riyadh RHQ, MIT KSA aims to provide strong innovation-led growth and customer support aligned with the Kingdom’s digital transformation initiatives. Mannai Information Technology Saudi Arabia (MIT KSA), part of Mannai Corporation QPSC, opened its new regional headquarters (RHQ) in Riyadh, marking a significant investment in Saudi Arabia’s digital economy and a new phase in the company’s long-term commitment to expanding its footprint in the Kingdom. Speaking on the RHQ opening, Alekh Grewal, Group Chief Executive Officer of Mannai Corporation QPSC said, “Saudi Arabia is one of the region’s largest and fastest-growing digital economies…
Nairobi: TECHz – News Desk Safaricom has officially rolled out its customer-centric “Pata More” campaign, introducing significant enhancements to data bundle allocations, sweeping reductions in M-PESA transaction fees, and upgraded home fibre speeds. The initiative aligns with the telco’s Vision 2030 roadmap to become Africa’s leading purpose-led technology company by prioritizing digital inclusion and everyday affordability. By shifting its strategic focus towards customer retention in a maturing market, Safaricom aims to deliver more value per shilling without increasing baseline prices. In response to the growing demand for mobile internet driven by remote work, video streaming, and online commerce, Safaricom has…
Riyadh: TECHz – News Desk In a significant development for the Kingdom’s financial technology sector, MoneyHash has announced a strategic partnership with Azm Fintech. The collaboration is designed to broaden access to Saudi Arabia’s digital payment ecosystem by leveraging Edaat, Azm Fintech’s licensed billing and collections platform. The integration empowers merchants utilizing the MoneyHash orchestration platform to connect directly to Edaat’s payment gateway. Through a single API integration, businesses gain immediate access to SADAD KSA, alongside a comprehensive suite of local billing and collection tools. This unified approach allows companies to automate their collections, optimize payment acceptance, and simplify financial…
Accra: TECHz – News Desk In a decisive move to combat the rising tide of cyber threats and digital fraud, Ghana has officially launched the National Community Media Cyber Capability Building Project (NCMCCBP). Inaugurated on Monday, August 3, 2026, at the National Communications Authority (NCA) Tower in Accra, the initiative is a collaborative effort between the Africa Center for Digital Transformation (ACDT) and Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority (CSA), heavily supported and funded by the Czech government under its Transformation Cooperation Programme. The project was launched under the theme: “Advancing Ghana’s National Security and Cyber Defence Objectives through Community Media Strengthening…
Johannesburg: TECHz – News Desk South African fintech company Ozow has officially partnered with First National Bank (FNB) and Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) to unveil a new application programming interface (API)-drivenOzow, FNB & RMB Launch Real-Time API Payments payment solution. The collaboration marks a significant shift in the country’s payments landscape, replacing traditional electronic fund transfer (EFT) processes with direct, real-time, authorisation-led transactions. Enabled entirely through Ozow’s platform, the new payment API allows digital merchants to process transactions directly via the established banking infrastructure of FNB and RMB. This direct integration effectively eliminates the need for manual EFT steps and…
Abuja: TECHz – News Desk The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has officially released new Guidelines on the Taxation of Virtual Assets, creating a structured administrative framework for the taxation of digital asset transactions across the country. The guidelines aim to regulate activities involving cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, tokenised assets, and other digital holdings. The newly issued framework targets a broad spectrum of the digital economy, specifically applying to taxpayers, Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), Peer-to-Peer (P2P) marketplace operators, tax practitioners, and all entities or individuals engaged in virtual asset activities. The guidelines outline strict tax obligations, including registration requirements, reporting duties, record-keeping…
Abidjan: TECHz – News Desk In a decisive move to strengthen its innovation ecosystem, Côte d’Ivoire has launched two national programs to accelerate the growth of digital start-ups and technology-driven small and medium-sized enterprises. Introduced at the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire by the Minister of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation, Djibril Ouattara, the Ivoire Tech Next 15 and Ivoire Tech Scale Up initiatives will provide 24 months of structured assistance to 30 selected digital enterprises. These flagship programs are central to the broader National Digital Development Strategy and the 2026–2030 National Development Plan. The Ministry of Digital Transition aims to…
Riyadh: TECHz – News Desk In a strategic move to accelerate digital transformation, the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) has officially published the “Awareness Guide for AI Adoption in Technology Companies in Saudi Arabia.” This newly released framework aims to support the responsible and effective integration of artificial intelligence, promote emerging digital technologies, and foster innovative business models. The publication of the guide coincides directly with the Saudi Council of Ministers’ official designation of 2026 as the “Year of AI.” The CST designed the guide to facilitate the transition of AI from a high-level strategic direction into an operational…